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Who is MSF? MSF is an international medical humanitarian organization created by doctors and journalists in France in 1971.

MSF is an international medical humanitarian organization created by doctors and journalists in France in 1971. MSF provides aid in nearly 80 countries to people whose survival is threatened by violence, neglect, or catastrophe, primarily due to armed conflict, epidemics, malnutrition, exclusion from health care, or natural disasters. MSF provides independent, impartial assistance to those most in need. MSF was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1999, and the King Hussein award for Humanitarian work in 2004.

No. MSF is an independent organisation which operates free of any political, military, or religious agendas. MSF's activities are not connected to any of the UN agencies. However, MSF may advocate with the United Nations on common medical and humanitarian concerns.

MSF works mainly in countries where it has found services inadequate to meet a population's medical needs. MSF is present in more than 60 countries worldwide in Asia, Africa, Europe and Latin America.

Yes. MSF has field teams and undertakes medical work in Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Libya, Lebanon, Palestine, Syria, and Yemen. In addition, MSF has a regional office in the UAE.

Yes. All MSF services are free. MSF rejects the idea that poor countries deserve third-rate medical care and strives to provide high-quality care to patients and seeks for highly professional staff (medical and non-medical). For example, in the MSF mission treating Iraqi war wounded, MSF covers all expenses related to the treatment including travelling costs, accommodation, etc.

The key to MSF's ability to act independently in response to a crisis is its private, independent funding. In 2015, 92 per cent of MSF's income came from private sources. More than 5.7 million individual donors and private foundations worldwide made this possible.

MSF does not represent an alternative for the health facilities in the countries where it intervenes. MSF tries to fill the gap of medical and humanitarian needs. When such needs are fulfilled MSF hands over to local health institutions and gives support to other populations in need.

MSF has developed an efficient logistical capacity allowing us to respond to emergency situations within 48 hours. MSF logistical centres have developed pre-packaged disaster kits (nutrition, immunisation, sanitation, drugs, communications material, vehicles, power supplies, water-processing facilities, and food and non-food items). Our disaster equipment includes a complete surgical theatre and an inflatable hospital with a capacity of 150 beds. Depending on the location, this equipment can be deployed within a maximum of 72 hours depending on the location to reach.

No. MSF observes neutrality and impartiality in the name of universal medical ethics and the right to humanitarian assistance and claims full and unhindered freedom in the exercise of its functions. MSF works for providing health and humanitarian assistance for distressed populations regardless of their religious, ethnic and political connections and without discrimination.

MSF is a medical organization so its activities are medical in the first place. MSF provides health care, rehabilitates and runs hospitals and clinics, performs surgery, battles epidemics, carries out vaccination campaigns, operates feeding centres for malnourished children, and offers mental health care. When needed, MSF also constructs wells and dispenses clean drinking water, and provides shelter materials like blankets and plastic sheeting.

MSF is ready to intervene in any country regardless of political, religious or ethnic considerations. The decision to intervene in any given country is based on assessment of the medical and humanitarian needs in that country.